CELEBRATING A LEADER WHO FEARS GOD AND GENUINELY SHOWS LOVE TO HUMANITY

The Holy Book says: “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to any idol or swear by what is false”

His Excellency, Pa Adebisi Akande, to the glory of God celebrates his 80th birthday today amidst men and women of good will, friends, family, children and children in the third generation.

In every generation, God divinely anoints a few people who feared Him to be thinkers and leaders who have wisdom for their generation and those after them. Those who sacrificed their personal comfort for the good of the common people and who recognise that tomorrow must be better. Those, who are civilised by planting trees under which they may never take a shade.

Pa Bisi Akande knew and learnt the act of service under the Master, Chief Obafemi Awomolo, the man who saw tomorrow, who led the Yoruba race to the level acknowledged by the world as a leader in her own right.
He walked with another disciple of Awolowo, that is HE Chief Bola lge, SAN and imbibed the well cherished virtues and values of Omoluabi.

I was lucky and most privileged to be the State Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) when he was the Governor of Osun State. He mentored me and I will forever appreciate his forthrightness, very well organised and mature thoughts. He worked so well, diligently and with little or no publicity that most people within and outside Osun State did not know that Akande had constructed a massive State Secretariat at Osogbo until the Commissioning, towards the end of his 4 year tenure. He is one of the best managers of men and resources that has ever ruled in this country.

He, I attest, as Governor was incorruptible, living a disciplined and simple life style. He, with his cabinet members enforced Institutional discipline that no corruption could be traced to any of them, Pa Bisi Akande made himself available to every citizen of Osun State in the market place, workshop and on their farms. He shared their pains, addressed their needs and truly served as servant leader.

His politics is matured and with the fear God in all decisions without any trace of bitterness, violence, acrimony, recrimination but based on conviction, of the welfare of the people. He is a rare Nigerian, a leader of leaders and a patriot whose life is worthy of emulation.

He is called Baba omokekeke “father of little children” because he loves and cares for children and gives priority to their needs and welfare.

Pa Bisi Akande walks with his God who has endowed him with wisdom and prudence that he lends to Presidents, Kings and Nobles of Nigeria. He hates evil, pride, arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech.

I can attest that truly, HE Pa Bisi Akande is a responsible family man. He painfully surrendered to God’s decision without grumbling or murmuring, when the Lord God took away his only wife, the mother of his children, his best friend and confidant because he fears the Lord.

My wife, our children and I, celebrate Baba Omo ke ke ke for impacting positively on our generation, the people of Osun State and people of goodwill all over Nigeria.

We say ke epe o baba, Igba odun odun kan ni o.

Here is wishing you sir, a very happy 80h birthday and many more happy years ahead in good health and more prosperity.

Asiwaju & Chlef (Mrs) Adegboyega Awomolo
The Asiwaju of Igbajolánd